Pause and Take In the Sunrise

A few days ago, when I stood up from the table to begin breakfast preparations for my girls, I noticed pink and purple streaks across the sky. We have large, south-facing windows in our living room and dining room. I absolutely love the natural light these let in! That morning, the light they were letting in was from a vibrant, colorful sunrise.

I paused and took in the sight. There were wispy clouds. There were beautiful colors such as lavender, canary, and mauve. It was peaceful and beautiful. In that moment, I realized how rarely I pause and take in sights like the one I was viewing. I’m usually in a hurry. I usually have three kids tugging me (literally and figuratively) in different directions. I’m usually worried about my long to-do list. It was so nice to take a moment to breathe deeply, say a prayer, and take in the sunrise.

This experience reminded me of a post I shared about five years ago. At that time, I realized how I quickly gulped my coffee down each morning instead of taking the time to savor it. I resolved then to focus on and enjoy what is happening in the present moment. Of course, as time passed that resolve faded and I’m back in that place again of needing to slow down and be mindful. The ideas I shared then for how to enjoy the present moment seem pretty apropos for me today.

Tips for enjoying the present moment

• Do less. It’s only natural to be distracted by what is happening next when our schedules become too full. Multitasking, a strategy we sometimes use to get more than one thing done at once, often results in distraction. Generally the best thing for us to do is to eliminate unnecessary things from our schedules so we have time to take a deep breath and rest. It’s easier to notice and appreciate the present moment when we move at a slower pace!
• Let go of the past. Though it is beneficial for us to learn from our past experiences, wallowing in regrets regarding things we wish we’d done differently is pointless. Instead, we can apply the lessons we’ve learned as we focus on what’s happening today.
• Try not to worry about the future. Worry doesn’t prevent bad things from happening. However, it does prevent us from enjoying the good things that are happening right now. God promises that He knows our needs and provides for us (Matthew 6:25-34). When we trust Him, we find freedom from worry and can fill our minds with thoughts of the present.
• Count blessings. Have you ever noticed that when you take time to name the things for which you are grateful, you tend to become very aware of the wonderful things you have in life? This heightened awareness is how counting our blessings helps us enjoy the present. After all, we have to be aware of current happenings if we’re going to savor them.
• Pay attention to little details. We often take great joy in the little things—the feel of a breeze against our skin while on a walk, the rich flavor of a cup of hot cocoa, the vibrant color of blooming flowers, etc. Actively looking for these details helps maximize our enjoyment of the present.
• Avoid comparison. It’s difficult to enjoy the current moment if we are busy contemplating how we measure up to others. If, on the other hand, we remember that it is God’s approval we seek instead of man’s (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4), then we can focus our efforts on enjoying the present instead of comparing ourselves to others.
• Eliminate clutter. Clutter makes it difficult to focus. This is true of physical clutter (e.g., a disorganized home) and the clutter created by the technology in our lives (e.g., TV shows, email, social media). When we organize our spaces and moderate our use of electronic devices, we’re better able to engage in current happenings.

What has been your experience with taking in the present moment? Are you able to pause and enjoy what is happening? Is yes, then what strategies help you do this?

Shared at the following:

Grace and Truth, Encouraging Hearts and Home, and Busy Monday.